Sound recording and reproduction system



1954 H. s. HELLER ETAL SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCTION SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 23, 1946 I N V EN T 0R5.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. S. HELLER ETAL SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCTION SYSTEM Feb. 23, 1954 Filed Feb. 25, 1946 UNITED TATES PATENT OFFI SYSTEM Herman S. Hell er, West Los Ang'eles, and Willard E. Stofer, North Hollywood, Calif. said Stofer assignor to said Heller Application February 23, 19 16, Serial o. 649,594

' claims (01.274 46) This invention relates generallyto the ,art ,of sound recording and reproduction, and more particularly to magnetic soundrecording and reproduction of the multiple lane class, wherein a multiplicity of recordations are made side by side on a record tape. The invention will be particularly described with magnetic recording in view, though it will be understood as broadly applicable to multiple lane recording on any tape type of record medium 5 Multiple lane sound recording hasv a distinct advantage for many applications in that for-a given' recording time, thenecessary length of the tape is decreased 'a number of times equal to the number of lanes used. Assuming eight rec- 0rd lanes, the saving is evidently quite substantial. As a corollary advantage, the operator can ,always return or back track to any, portion of the recording by running the tape a distance which will never, exceed a certain sub-multipleiegl, one-eighth) of the lengthof tape that would be used in single lane recording.

However, even with the above mentioned advantages of multiple lane recording as now known, the time required to back track, i. e., run the tape in reverse to the starting point, or some selected passage, is a disadvantage under some conditions.

An object of the present invention is accordingly to provide a sound recording and reproduction system of the multiple lane record tape class wherein complete recordations of predetermined time duration may be made on the several lanes of the tape within pre-selected longitudinal subdivisions or blocks of the full tape length. It will be evident that the end limits of each such "block may be much closer together thanthe end limits of the tape as a whole, and that the time for back tracking within such a*block, -or rewinding from one end limit to the other, may be very materially reduced, thus at once greatly mitigating one of few remaining disadvantages 'oftape recording.

A still further object is the provision of means by which a recording of any predetermined time duration may be recorded on an even number of successive v record lanes within a pre-select'ed block, and will be completed with the tape returned to-its starting position, whereby reproduction of the recordingso made may commence without back tracking or rewinding-in brief. with no waiting period whatsoever. Y/

A further object of the invention-is torprovide means whereby the time duration -of the'zbl'ock may be set as desired, and-which, when properly 'setaiwill reverse the tape*atthe'two end limits of blocks which have been the block so that recording or reproductiojis conf ned therewithin. I A particular feature of the invention is he provision on the record tape, alongside the several recording lanes, of a control lane on which isgre- Additienaily,

similar signals are preferably utilied, at the tw ends of the tape for automatic reversal "he direction of the tape and transferenceof r oi d drive from one lane toth'e next; This provision safeguards against running theends or th eg tape now to the following detailed description oiffene present illustrative embodiment thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

h e l 1 Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of one illustrative embodiment of the invention;

, Figure-2 is a diagrammatic perspective-*o f a section of record tape and showing diagrammatically the cooperation therewith'of the 'transK- lating and control signal electromagnet'sj V Figure 3 is a diagram indicating the -drive means for the tape; and 1 Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic viewsof sections'of record tape indicating various-il1us trativetypes of block recordings within the scope of the invention. 7 i {g There are two known methods or systems of multiple lane recording either one of whichgis applicable to the present invention. The first, disclosed in prior Patent No.; 2,213,631, to"-Herman S. Heller et al., involves the use ofa multiplicity of translating magnets distributed transversely across the tape, and switchedisuccessively into operation as the tapeiiis driven first "in one direction and then the othernf Thepresent invention will be hereinafter described 'in' connection with this first-mentioned system; second system" employs translating: magnets which are shifted transversely"of"the*tapeei-nto successive cooperative-relation" with :the several recording? lanes thereoftas, itheetap'e "is-:driven' in first one direction; and then I the other: esee laat- .ent'-No. -=2,127i5;96-1 to Herman S; Heller, and-also point, such stagger may be it into account.

application Serial No. 608,734, now Patent No. 2,468,198, granted April 26, 1949, to Herman S. Heller. It will be entirely within the skill of those versed in the art to adapt the present invention to this second system of multiple lane recording, and no specific illustration thereof is deemed necessary. herein, it being sufficient to note that both systems are incontemplation and are included within the scope of the appended claims.

Reference is first directed to Fig. 4 of the drawings, showing diagrammatically, and not to scale, a section of record tape on which a block recording in accordance with the invention may be made. It will of course be understood that in practice the tape may be of a width of the order of A to the present illustration being considerably exaggerated and being entirely diagrammatic in nature. The successive longiq tudinal lines I to 8 represent successively used, H

transversely spaced recording lanes, and the short transverse lines connecting the longitudinal lines represent merely the shifts from the terminal ends of the several recording lanes to the beginning ends of; the next succeeding lanes.

These shifts might constitute actual transverse movements of the translating magnets, or, as in the particular illustrationherein set forth, electrical shifts between magnets permanently. alined with the respective lanes. The arrows represent the directions in which the records are made on the several lanes, and are of course directed oppositely to the. direction of tape travel in each instance. Referring still to Fig. 4, it will be observed that there isv a ninth lane 9 between the eighth recording lane 8 and the edge of the tape, and it is to, be understood that a separate magnet or pair, of magnets is alined with said lane 9 and is; adapted to record thereon certain signals utilized to perform a later described control function. The tape is designated generally in the figure by the numeral [0, and the numeral H and bracket designate a complete block recording.

Figure 2 shows diagrammatically, again with great width exaggeration, a section of tape. it) and a plurality of pairs of translating electromagnets 12 to it spaced transversely thereacross, so as to cooperate with the several record lanes 1 to 8, respectively, and an additional pair of electromagnets positioned between said record lanes and one edge of the tape and adapted to cooperate with the control-signal lane 9. Each such pair will be understood to consist of a pair of thin steel cores contacting opposite faces of the tape, of widths equal to the desired widths of the record or signal lanes, and having the. usual coils or windings.

For space accommodation, these magnets are in practice also somewhat staggered or spaced along the length of the tape, in any suitable arrangement. The arrangement is of course made as compact as possible. From a theoretical standdisregarded, and Fig. 4 and similar diagrams are made without taking In Fig. 3 is indicated diagrammatically a typical drive system for the tape I0, including a reversible drive motor 2!, drive roll 22 in peripheral engagement with the tape, and suitable reels 23 which will be understood to be operated in the conventional manner.

Reference is nowdirected to Fig. 1, showing schematically a complete illustrative block recording system in accordance with the invention. The several pairs of translating electromagnets are again designated by numerals 12 to ill, and the control signal electromagnets by numeral 20, the tape passing therebetween being indicated at IU. Corresponding sides of the several electromagnets are connected to a common ground lead 24.

Three decks 25, 26 and 21 of; a conventional type of rotary, multiple-contact switch have insulation rotors 28, 29 and 30, respectively, mounted tightly on a common operating shaft 3| with a ratchet Wheel 32. which is operated step-bystep by a quick acting pawl 33 connected to the plunger of a solenoid 34. It is necessary that this' -ratchet mechanism be of a quick acting type, capable of stepping the switch ahead in a small fraction of a second. We have merely indicated such a mechanism in a diagrammatic way, since suitable mechanisms are well known to those skilled in the art. Each switch rotor carries a collector. ring 315,.having a radially projecting contact or brush 3B. This brush 36 is in each instance adapted to sweep successively over switch contacts 31 carried by an insulation stator, indicated at 38 for deck 25, at 3 9 for deck 26, and at 40 for deck 21. In the present instance, the decks 25, and 21 have eight of such contacts spaced 40 apart, and in the otherwise unused ninth position are longer contacts or brushes M bearing constantly on the collector ring 35, while the deck 26 has four of such contacts spaced 80 apart, corresponding with the second, fourth, sixth and eighth contacts of the decks and 21, and has also a longer contact or brush 4| bearing on the collector ring in the otherwise unused ninth position. For a nine position switch, the ratchet wheel 32 has nine teeth, and each actuation thereof moves the rotor contacts through of rotation, from one stator contact to the next.

The ungrounded sides of the several translating magnets are connected by leads 42 to the eight stator contacts 31. of switch deck 25, and the ninth stator contact or brush is connected by lead 43 to the contacts 44 and 45 of a gang switch 4.5, Opposed to switch contact M is a switch contact 41 connected to microphone jack 48, a switch arm 49 being movable to make with either contact 44 or. contact 41. Switch arm 49 is connected by lead 50 to one input terminal of amplifier 5|. The ungrounded output terminal of amplifier 51- is connected by lead 52 to movable switch arm 53 adapted to make alternately with contact 45 and with a switch contact 5 1 opposed to the latter, and said contact 54 is connected to speaker 55 as indicated. It will be understood that switch arms 49 and 53 are interconnected so as to move together, being in contact with contacts 41 and 45, respectively, for the Record. position, and with contacts 44 and 54, respectively, for Reproduce. In the Record position, the microphone, not shown, is connected to microphone jack 48, and a circuit is formed including switch contact 41, switch arm 49, and lead 50 to the input of the amplifier, and from the output of the amplifier by lead 52, switch arm 53 and contact 45,, and lead 43 to switch brush 4!. From switch brush 4!, the circuit continues via collector ring 35, brush 36, one of the contacts 31, and the corresponding lead 42 to a pair of translating magnets, depending of course upon the position of the rotor of switch deck 25. The magnets are accordingly in circuit with the amplifier, and the machine is in condition for recordation. In the Reproduce position, one of the pairs of lead 653. The motor-istherefore the output endpf'the a tact arm 53 and contact aip' ir ofgtrans a ins ma t .aepeni i ag i n the position of the'Jrotor' of ,the'jfswitchfde inicircuit'with the speakerll fl The'reversib1ef drive motor 2.] "f

islv in'dicated in fig l as-ofasplit bhasecap type, having' fourn two for each phase. c

.Nurneral fifldesignates the ternni of alternating current power, and terminals is connected byjci' uit is i 's its h "oili at w the stator brush 4,! of switch seek "21." Brush bears ring being, adapted to sweep. the, contacts, +8,

and the gap 66 being, adapted to cut any 'se'iected contact out of circuit. A conductorfif! ,connects V and 8, Asjt'ill'becomeevident hereinafter, this switch 53 maybe set to open the circuit of the drive inotor inany selected position of the deck switches, i i.-

, A brush 68 bearingonfccllector between contacts 9. and 8 is connected byconductor fi9ito one external lead 56, of one phaseofmotor 21. the other external lead 51 of the same. phase of said motor being connected y ieads JUand-IJ to the OtherterminaI oft assume power, a motor switch 12 being included in cir ouit asiln dicated. V f

Th other phase leadsi fl hand i. a ist'of hosiare arranged for connection through a motor reversing relay 13 across the-power circuit, said switch being adapted when actnated to tey erse the polarity of one phase'of the rnotor with respect to the otherv whereby ,areversaioi the direction of rotationisobtained. lhus the phase leads 58rand 59 are connected, to the two movable switcharms 14 and of reversing switchfit it being understood that said two. switch:a rnis.-. are interconnected to move together In theposition shown, he am n-and 1 .1 n nta t w t switchcontacts 16 and 71, respectively, theforiner being connected to one power lead fill, H fand the-latter being connected to the opposite-power i nnflc ed, iq rotation in one direction, For the reverse direction of rotation, switch arm Mandfi are shifted intogcontact with switch contacts 18 and 19, respectively; of whi h t e o m ennected. t power-lead 69, and the latter is connectedto power -lead "l0,- -l l It ;-will-be have :been reversed --with;-' respect to the-power leads, so thatthe notor willnow rotate in; the reverse-direction.

v The described motor reverse -switch; 'l3 is;- automatically operated by a magnet under control of switch deck ZtY This:switchls-is ota typeto stand normally in the position shown im Fig; .4; and ,to move over'yto the al'ternate positionupon energization sthemagneesm Magnet 804s nected at one" end by ifiea'ri's' of a nt thist e i. leads--58 -and-59-of.- theone-phasepf the motor v ,tim "?r t r Position, and will otor"reverse switchinkis i it l PPfel ,fillithef rotor contactsfitof thseveral swltchdecli's, andtlie rotjor contact 3630f 26:will:then':'n1ake" w1th thefirst of the contacts i E esi m g w 6. s Sid of whichisper nfanentlycon 'lected to one sidejot thesource of ctirrentgthereupon has its other ide connected" through ntacts" 31 and '3 6, brush '4 If and lead 83 t0 the bfhefside of the" soiii'e bf powen Eiectro nagnetflll is thus energized;l'and moves" the"'switchjl13 "to' .the' alternate position thereby" reversing {the direction "of drive "motor 2 I; It will 'bef'evide'lit that .th "contacts 31 for the's'witchdeck 2$,being spaced ao apa com:

plete a circuit for the" electromagnet 80 only alternate positio'ns' or the "ratchet, wheelfa 2" Land switchTotor; so that'i'n the first, third, fifth,etc positions, the electromagnetw is deenergize'd and themotor: drives in onedirection, while in'the second, fourth,"etc.;izpositionsthe electromagnet 80 isienergized, and .the'm'ototdrives in there ve'iseTdirction;

The subject matterof'Fig. 1"as so far described with the exception of the control sign'alzh'agnets 20 and theisele'ctor' switch"63fis 'moreor'less dis: closed in theaforementionedj'patents and appli cations, Thus, the'gs'ysteni as js'ofar described, provides a ,means whereby, upon closure of motor by the motor'zl inione direction; and with the assumption thatthe :switch decks, 25,. and 2 fiiiare in the'condition'shown in Fig. 1:,:the' first pair ottran'slating magnets I {will be inactive circuit; c apab1e;of malging a recording on the first line pf the tap e; now ;th e solenoid 34 be energ zed; ra m nn r subsequ t y .to' b de scribed, the ratchet wheel 3ZQwi11'betmO ed ahead one step, moving with, itytherotors'of the several switchfiecks, .In thenevtgposition of switch deck 2.5 flr tlan gtra s atin ma ne s .12, w l be. cu outlet circuit and. seeond lane translating ma net 's li switched into' circuit tqmake a recordinsr fiems. t me. witc dec 2 [si e .ener zat on .of else there e op ration Q sw c f V, ,eo d recm iipfi h tape V. mQ Qr 21th,. the r o1,.,.- ane.wil h Wave? herever e' r ctiqp Henc a recor havirw ssn. made. nlanegl,withs neid re ib of, ap ra el a sewed rwza., qri i euat pno o e first may W !.?k }.'1?. ,z w h h t p T As already esneswrel' sefili the aims m i H i ireuii "mean whereby-the k1:recsmi er.-v ste itre r sent i ve ay beadcpngplishegl,and thiscircuit means will next,bedescribed, The aforementioned control signal electrom gnetszq are. c nn ctedtxl a fi 9 h 9 L B rn 51 inrPd e1 Wiw 13 H s f e'b i reidi qme wit act 81 for rectirdixig purposes, "and with a 13 917 9&4?

contact 89 for reproducing purposes. GontactB-l is connected by leadf89 too'ne output'te'rmmal of a signaloscillat'or or generator 90, having a frequency of for instance 100.0 cycles. The other output terminal or oscillator .90 is connected by lead 9I to the respective normally open stationary contacts 92 and 93 of two manual switches 94 and 95. The movable arms 96 and 91 of these switches, cooperable with the contacts 92 and 93, are grounded. Closure of either of these switches will connect oscillator 90 in circuit with transe lating magnets 20, and therefore accomplish a 1000 cycle recording'on the ninth or control signal lane of the tape. Switch 94- is a gang type, including also stationary movable switch arm 99,:novable with arm 96, and normally making with contact 98, but separating therefrom'as the two arms 96. and .99 are moved to the alternate position. Switch arm 99 is connected to lead 89. by a lead I00, as in-. dicated.

The contact 89 of switch 815 is connected by lead 'l0.I to one input terminal of signal amplifier I02, and the stationary. contact 98 of switch 94 is connected by lead I09 andthe lead IN to the'sa'me amplifier input terminal."

The output terminals of amplifier I22 are connected to a relay coil I04 which, when energized, closes, a normally open switch I05. Connected to one side of the switch I05 is a lead I06 joining with one power lead II, and connected to the other side of the switch I05 is a lead II connected to one side of the electromagnet 34, the other side of which is connected by lead I08 to the other power lead SI.

A normally open manual switch I09 is connected between the ungrounded end of trans: lating magnets 20 andground.

A normally open lane's'lector switch H0 is connected between lead I01 and lead I I outside of motor switch I2, whereby the stepping solenoid 34 can be energized under manual control, even though the motor switch I2 be pen.

The operation of the system will next be described. 'It will be assumed, as a first example, that it is desired to make a minute block recording on lanes I and 2 of the tape, starting at the beginning point of lane I, and ending at the end point of lane 2, opposite the beginning point of lane I, as indicated in Fig. 5. It is assumed that the tape will travel from right to left during the recording on lane I, and from left to right during the recording on lane 2. The small arrows in Fig. 5 indicate the directions in which the recordings will progress along the record lanes. The record having been made as proposed on lanes 1 and 2, then by simply shifting back to lane I, reproductio may be begun immediately. This is of interest, for'instance, where it is desired to make a recording of a radio program, and to play the recording back the instant it has been completed. Accordingly, assume all of the switches to be in the position of Fig. 1 (note that selector switch 63 is in position .2, denoting that the recording will'terminate at the end of record lane 2) and assume further that the total recording time is to be of 15 minutes duration, as in the case of a 15 minute radio program. First lane translating magnets I2 are in circuit through switch deck 25 with the microphone plugged into jack 48, in condition for a recording to be made on lane No. 1.

The m h n s re abl a t a second o so before therecordingfis to" begin. at the proper ime. mq acc s c ose e e izing and contact 98 and che rie he ta dr motor 21- h m men the tape begins to travel, manual switch 00 is moved from'the position shown in Fig. 1 to the alternate position. Switch arm 98 making with contact 92, a ,circuit is formed whereby oscillator 90 feeds control signal magnets 20, and a 1000 cycle note is recorded on the control signal lane 9 of the tape. The switch 94 is held in this position for approximately a second, whereby, with a typical tape speed of 60 feet per minute, a one thousand cycle control signal of approximately onefoot in length is recorded on the control lane. This control signal is designated generally by the numeral III in Fig. 5, though with consider;- able contraction owing to space limitations. The described operation of switch 94 has also temporarily broken the connection between oscillator 90 and amplifier I02, the reason for which will presently become clear.

Operations are preferably so timed that the control signal I Ii has been recorded by the time the recording is started on lane I. Seven and one-half minutes following the beginning of the predetermined recording period, the manual switch 95 is closed setting into operation a train of events as follows: oscillator 90 is again in closed circuit with electromagnets 20, and an.- other control signal I I 2 of 1000 cycles is recorded on the control signal lane 9 of the tape. Furthermore, the oscillator 90 having its circuit thus closed to ground, sends a signal current through lead I00, switch contacts 99 and 08, and leads I03and IOI to signal amplifier I02. The amplified signal energizes relay I04 to close switch i05. This closure of switch I05 acts in turn to connect solenoid 34 across the two power leads, and the resulting energization of the solenoid actuates ratchet wheel 32 to move ahead one step, moving the rotors of switch decks 25, 26 and 21 likewise one step ahead. The switch rotor of deck 25 now connects second lane translating magnets I3 in circuit, while the rotor contact 36 of switch deck. 26 now making with one of contacts 31, energizes magnet to actuate motor reverse switch I3 and so reverse the direction of the tape. Thus the result of closure of switch 94 has been to make the control signal record II2, to shift over from first lane magnets I2 to second lane magnets I3, and to reverse the direction of the tape. The time taken to accomplish these operations, before the motor 2| reverses its direction, is preferably of the order of a fraction of a second, for example, a quarter of a second, 'so thatthe control signal I I2 may be of a length of say'three inches on the tape. It may now be understood why the circuit was broken at 98, 99 during the making of the signal record III, since if the circuit had remained closed from the oscillator to the amplifier I02 during that operation, the magnet I04 would have been energized, and the solenoid 34 improperly energized and caused to change lanes and reverse the drive motor. The switch 98, 99 prevents this occurrence during the starting operation. It will of course be understood that the manual switch will be released and permitted to open the instant the above described switch over to lane 2 has been accomplished.

Instantly after the tape has reversed direction, the recorded control signal Il2 passing the translating magnets 20 will generate a signal therein, which will of course be transmitted via lead 84 switch 96 to lead 09, lead I00, switch s eath ifilai 98, and lead and "l is amplifier I02, and mi htbe thought to improperly actuate the relay I04 9.. at this time. This will not occur, however, for-the reason that the tape drive motor will not be able to achieve full speed until the tape has moved several inches, with the result that the generated signal voltage, which will of course be at a frequencyof less than the normal 1000 cycles, will not be of sufiicient amplitude to effect. an operation of the relay I04. vIt should be noted. that the maximum amplitude is obtained from a magnetic tape when the signal frequency is 1000 cycles; and it will be understood that the gain of the amplifier is made sufficiently low with reference to the signal strength reach.- ing its input terminals that a 1000.cyc1e.signal is required to actuate the relay I04. Thus the recorded 1000 cycle signal on the tape. willnotactuate the relay I 20 at substantially full tape speed, which is not achieved from a dead sto'p within the approximately three inches of tape occupied vby the recordII2.

Recording thus may proceed onthe' second lane of the tape, with the tape traveling oppositely to it initial direction. Immediately after the total recording period of 15 minutes has elapsed, the initially recorded control signal III will encounter the control magnets 20, and will generate a 1000 cycle signal therein which will be conducted viaconduotor 84, switch 86, conductors 80 and I00, switch contacts 99 and 98 andconductors I03iand IOI to amplifier I02, whereby magnet I04 clo'se'sswitch I 05 to energize solenoid 34 and so advance the rotors of switch decks 25, 26, 21 one furtherstep. ahead. This has the. efiectof switching to third lane magnets "I4, and operating switch 13 to reverse. thei'dire'etion of. the tape drive motor; It also has .theliefiect howevenlat switch deck 2'! and selectorswitch. 63,:.-ofv stope. ping the drive motor. Said. motor .is...energized through line H connected to" collector ring35. of.

deck Zl-by brush 4|, brush 36,. one of contacts 31;

and the corresponding conductor .62 andstatione. ary selector switch contacts, collector. ring 65,.

brush 66 and lead 69. With theselector switch 3 in the position of Fig. 1, this. circuit is:broken at selectorswitch contact] when the roto'ri'of deck 21 reaches the third'position, as it does when solenoid 34 is energizedat the *end ofi'lane 2 (or at the beginning oflane 3) The tape drive motor thus comes to a stop; The motor switch IZ should however then be openedwso. that 'sub.-.. sequent actuations of laneselector switch l ID will.

not result in restarting the motor.

There has thus been produced the blockt cording I i, using however only the first and 'sec-- ond lanes I and 2. time, has been 7%;

minutes, and it will be un- 04 unless it passes the magnets The length of the block, in

derstood that the'proportionate length of the tape used might for instance be 'one quarter of its full length.

If it'should now be desired to reproduce at once the recordings made switch Hi? is closed times s'uffic'ient decks 25, 26 and r of Fig. l, and switches 46;and"86 are shifted to positions. with-speaker'55, the rotoro'f switch 'dec k 26- in positionfo'rthe tapeto be" driveriin its original Translat ng magnets onlanes I "and 2, manual s'uccessivelya number of T to bring the rotors of switch 2'! back to theoriginal-position' direction, and the rotor "of" "switc'h deck $2'1' 'is" in position for the drive motor through..the fO switch 63.

position contact of: selector Motor switch, 9 Z.,i S thenY01OSed to start; the tape inits original-. direction; 'and the";

to be energized is immediately reproablock II, 1. e., at the infiturn switches from first lane magnets I2 to secondlane magnets I3, reverses the direction of tapedrive motor 2 I, and maintains the motor 21 energized through the selector switch 63. The tape thus travels in its reverse direction, and the recording-previously made on. lane 2 is reproduced. The time takenfor this reversing action will quite evidently be the same as the time interval during'which the1000 cycle signal H2 was recorded on the control lane during the recording operation; namely, 0nd. 'There is .no noticeable break in the continuity of. reproduction, and in practice, it is impossible by listening to determine that the changeover has' been made from lane I to lane 2.

Reproduction thus proceeds from the second lane of the tape to the end thereof, at which time the control magnets 20 encounter the control signal III on the tape,,causing a 1000 cycle control signal tobe delivered through switch 86 to am.-. plifier and so on to energize solenoid 63 and actuatethe rotors of the switch decks to move one step ahead. As in recording, the motor circuit,

so themachine stops. automatically at the termination of the recording. should then be opened.

Assume next that it is desired to make a block recording of onehours duration, with each of the eight lanes taking seven and one-half minutes thereof. In other words, the block is to be of the same length on the tape as before, but the recording is to be spread over all eight lanes, as represented in Fig. 4. The selector switch 63 is this time rotated to bring its gap 66 opposite the eighth contact, indicating willstop at the end of lane 8. operation will then be initiated as in the first example, control signals III and H2 being made on the tape as before. In this case, however, the selector switch and switch deck 21 do not arrest operation of the machine at the end of lane- 2. Control magnets-20 encounter the control signal III on lane 9, and a 1000 cycle signal is generated in magnets 20 and delivered by circuit lead 84, switch 86, leads 89 and I00, switch contacts 99 and 98 and leads I03 and IOI to amplifier I 02, whereby relay I04 is energized and switch I05 closed to actuate solenoid 34. Accordingly, the switch rotors of decks 25, 26 and 2! will be stepped ahead totheir third positions, thereby switching over to third lane translating magnets I4, reversing the direction of the tape drive motor back to its original direction, and preserving theclosed motor circuit through switch deck 21 and the selector switch 63 because of the new position of the latter, described just above. This occurrence requires typically about a quarter of a second, so'that the second record lane overlaps the control signal III on the tap-e by a distance of perhaps three inches, as indicated in Fig. The signal III, does not cause an actuation of relay"l04 at the beginning of the tape movement 1 inth e new direction Motor switch I I0 The recording about one-quarter of a sec-' that the drive motor.

for reasons already made A the tape is driven back and forth between the end limits determined by the two control: signals III and H2 recorded on the tape, andas said signals are encountered at the end portions or the record lanes, a switching operation-automatically occurs by which the next succee'ding translating magnets are connected in circuit. At the end of lane 8, however, the rotor of switch deck 2! breaks the motor circuit by moving to its ninth position (occupied by the brush lI) wherein it is disconnected from all of the leads 62 leading toward selector switch 63. For this one case, therefore, the drive motor stops simply by virtu of the rotor of switch deck 21 reaching. its ninth position, and the only reason for pre-setting the selector switch 63 to the dotdash position is to preserve the energization of the drive motor until the end of record lane 8 has been reached.

To reproduce the eight lane recording made as just above described, switches 46 and 86 are thrown to their alternate positions, and lane selector switch IIil is actuated once to return the deck switch rotors 25, 26 and 21 to the initial position of Fig. 1, which restarts tape drive motor 2| in its original direction, and switche back to first lane magnets I2, whereupon the recordings on the" eight lanes of the tape will be reproduced insuccession. As the ends of the several lanes are reached, the control magnets 2c encounter the signals lI'I or H2, as the case may be, generating signals switch to the next pair of translating magnets and to reverse the direction of the tape, in the manner already described. At the end of lane 8, the'machine is stopped as in the recording operation.

We have now given two illustrations, one consist-ing or a two lane recording, and the other of an eight-lane recording, within theend limit of asingle'block, th length of the block being set by the control'signals I I I and I I2, and the number 'of lanes used before the machine automatically comes-to a stop being determined by the setting-lot the selector switch 63. It will be evident that the-selector switch 6-? may be set to stop the machine atthc end of any even numbered lane, as.2-', i, i: or 8, and that in any such case, reproevident. Thus duction'maybegin at once, without rewinding, on

lane I'. On the other hand, the selector switch IE3 may obviously also be set to stop the machine at theend-of any odd numbered lane, as I, 3, 5 or I, though in such a case reproduction from the beginning end of lane I cannot begin without rewinding;

Xt-may sometimes occur the precise recording time in advance, it will become desirable to go on following the completion of an eight lane recording within the first block I I and proceed with a second recording within a second block I I3, asrepthat, particularly where resented-in Fig. 6. As one example, if it has beendetermined at the end of lane I that a second bloelc is wanted, the previously described switch I08 maybe closed, this switch closure being made a short time prior to the instant when control signal II2 encounters magnets 26. It will be evident that this closure of switch I89 will bypass the signal generated within magnets to ground,

sothat no signal is in this instance delivered to amplifier I02 for actuation of relay I04. Accordingly, the tape will pass the end limit of the first record block I I, and enter upon a clean section of the tape, whereupon a second block I I3, of

any. desired time duration, may be recorded as which actuate the relay I64 toduration is not known block from the'end of 12 represented. It will this instance, the recording might be continued immediately on lane 1 of it may be preferred to actuate the selector switch I I0 to return operations to lan I, as has been in dicated in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, numerals III and I15 designate the new end limit signals recorded on the control signal lane to establish the new block, and it will be understood without further detailed description how operations may be carried on within the second block, or within a-third or a fourth, just as previously described in com nection with the first block. It will be under stood that switch I08 is alwaysavailable to permit the tape to be driven beyond the end limits of any block, so that the machine may at any time be shifted from any one block to another block. Once, however, the control magnets 20 are limit control signals of a will not pass in either direcbetween the two end given block, the'tape tion beyond those end limits without operation of thes'witch I09.

Instead of passing on to the second block from th'e'end of lane I of the first block, it would also be'pos'sible to complete all eight lanes of th first block before going on to the second; or, operations can be transferred to the second block from either end of any lane of the first block. If for instance it becomes desirable to go on to a second block 8, theselector switch IIIl may be actuated to return the deck switches to lane I, and the tape may then be allowed to travel to the opposite end of lane I, at which time switch I99 is depressed to permit the endlimit signal I I2 to be passed.

It will be evident that upon passing from one block to the next, it may be necessary to reset the selector switch 63 to permit automatic stopping of the machine at the proper time. For instance, the switch 63 might first be set to stop the machine at the end bedesired to pass on to the second block, but touse only lanes I and 2 thereof, in which case it would be necessary to properly re-set the selectorswitch 63.

Referring again to Fig. 6, it will also be evident that, having finished'a recording on for instance all eight lanes of the second block, the switch I09 might be depressed while the signals I I4 and II2 passed the magnets 20, thus permitting recording along previously unused lane 8 of the fir'stblock to the end thereof, just as indicated in Fig. 6.

Itwill also be readilyunderstood that for many purposes it may become desirable to record on the full length of the tape rather than within a block or subdivision cases end limit control signals recorded on-the ninth or control lane of the tape near the two ends thereof may be utilized to advantage for purposes of'reversing the tape and shifting from lane to'lane. As a matter of fact, we prefer to invariably make use'of such endlimit signals when employing our block sys- Fig. '7, the tape may have sevas II and H3, with its of course beevidentth'at in" the new block, though" of lane 1. It might then thereof, and that in suchlimitsignals III, III and These latter mayincluded various' well knownfexpedie'ncies such as the pro-" vision oferasing magnetspor of means of revers ing the direction of the tape drive motor 2| without shifting from lane to lane (so as to permit backtracking along a given lane). Such provisions are disclosed in the aforementioned prior patents and applications and, since they form no part of the present invention, the present disclosure need not be burdened therewith.

One present embodiment of the invention has now been described in some detail, but is to be understood as being for illustrative purposes only, it being understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fiat record tape having recorded thereon a plurality of multiple lane recordings confined within separate longitudinally spaced record blocks, each of said recordings consisting of a plurality of record lanes extending longitudinally of the tape and distributed transversely thereacross, and block limit signals recorded on said tape at the end limits of said blocks.

2. The method of making recordings on a long record tape, that includes: making a first multiple lane block recording consisting of an odd number of successive recordings in reverse directions on a plurality of parallel transversely spaced longitudinally extending lanes of the tape between a pair of block defining end limits spaced from one another longitudinally of the tape, then progressing along the tape from the end of the last recorded lane past the corresponding end limit and making a second multiple lane block recording consisting of an even number of successive recordings in reverse directions on a plurality of parallel transversely spaced longitudinally extending lanes of the tape between another pair of block defining end limits so located that the block defined by said last mentioned pair of end limits is spaced along the tape from said first mentioned block, then progressing along the tape from the end of the last recorded lane past the corresponding end limit of the second recorded block and also past the near end limit of the first recorded block and while continuing to so progress along the tape, efiecting a final recording along the length of another transversely spaced lane of the first recorded block, whereby the complete recording operation terminates on the tape laterally opposite the beginning point of the first recorded lane of the first record block.

3. The method of making block recordings on a long record tape, that includes: recording a pair of end limit signals at opposite ends of a selected fractional segment of the tape, longitudinally moving said selected tape segment from end to end past a recording and reproducing station, reversing the drive of the tape as each end of said tape segment reaches said recording and reproducing station under control of an electric current reproduced from the corresponding end limit signal, making a multiple lane recording on said selected tape segment by recording successively on transversely spaced longitudinally extending lanes of said tape segment as said tape segment is moved in first one direction and then the other past said recording and reproducing station, thereafter moving the tape so as to transport one of said end limit signals past said recording and reproducing station, recording a pair of end limit signals at opposite ends of a second selected fractional segment of the tape positioned contiguous to said first selected tape segment, longitudinally moving said second selected tape segment from end to end past the recording and reproducing station, reversing the drive of the tape as each end of said second tape segment reaches said recording and reproducing station under control of an electric current reproduced from the corresponding end limit signal, and making a multiple lane recording on said second selected tape segment by recording successively on transversely spaced longitudinally extending lanes thereof as said second tape segment is moved in first one direc-- tion and then the other past said recording and reproducing system.

HERMAN S. HELLER. WILLARD E. STOFER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,089,835 Gregory Mar. 10, 1914 2,005,847 Schmidt June 25. 1935 2,093,539 Blaney Sept. 21, 1937 2,096,113 Kiel Oct. 19, 1937 2,109,627 Finch Mar. 1, 1938 2,124,673 Puma July 26, 1938 2,154,848 Ionesco Apr. 18, 1939 2,273,863 Herzig Feb. 24, 1942 2,364,556 Somers Dec. 5, 1944 2,396,409 Berzer Mar. 12, 1946 2,408,320 Kuhlik Sept. 24, 1946 2,430,538 Somers Nov. 11, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 390,878 Germany Feb. 25, 1924 877,126 France Aug. 24, 1942 

